New York, NY -- (Sports Network) - The WNBA on Thursday handed down 11 suspensions stemming from a brawl during Tuesday night's contest between the Los Angeles Sparks and Detroit Shock.

"The WNBA and its players represent all that is good about sports: passion, hard work and sacrifice," said league president Donna Orender. "On a nightly basis our players display extraordinary skill, athleticism and competitive fire.

"The events Tuesday, however, were inexcusable and in no way are indicative of what the league stands for. We hold our players to a very high standard and these suspensions should serve notice that the behavior exhibited at the end of Tuesday's game will not be tolerated."

The following penalties were handed down to the Detroit Shock: forward Plenette Pierson was suspended four games; assistant coach Rick Mahorn suspended two games; center Kara Braxton, forwards Tasha Humphrey and Sheri Sam, and guard Elaine Powell suspended for one game each.

For Los Angeles: guards Shannon Bobbitt and Murriel Page suspended two games apiece; center Lisa Leslie and forwards DeLisha Milton-Jones and Candace Parker suspended one game each.

So that each team can dress the minimum of eight players for all upcoming games, the start dates of each penalty will be staggered.

Along with coach Mahorn, Pierson, Braxton and Humphrey start serving theirs beginning Thursday as the Shock play at Houston; Sam is slated to sit out on July 27 against San Antonio; Powell will serve her suspension at a later time due to injury.

LA's Bobbitt will serve hers at Connecticut on Thursday along with Leslie, Milton-Jones and Parker. Page is set to serve her suspension on Friday as the Sparks visit New York.